Is the Sicilian your favourite with Black or with White?
And what are your favourite variations (with both colours)?

15 years ago, I always used to play the Sicilian as Black when answering 1.e4. But I always played an unusual and little known variation (2...a6). I got very good results from this over many years and rarely lost (except notably against grandmaster Jim Plaskett)!

Nowadays, I often play other things... <IMG SRC="http://forums.civfanatics.com/ubb/wink.gif" border=0>

When playing black and opening with sicilian def. of some variant you are in control of the game from the beginning. What I mean is: If you do know (played against him/her before) your opponent, you can choose your tactics on your knowledge about you opponents style! The sicialian opening gives you both defensive and offensive variants, that might break a player that's even better than your self.

It's a very special move you make there! Never seen it in action I'd like to try it some day!